Chapter 20, Problem 69A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Whether the elements present in group 1 or group 7 are good reducing agents is to be determined.

Concept introduction: The chemical species that undergo oxidation or gain electrons are reducing agents.

Answer to Problem 69A

Good reducing agents are the elements present in group 1, metals since they can easily donate their outermost electrons.

Explanation of Solution

Group 1 elements are all metals and they have 1, 2, or 3 electrons in their valence shell to lose And, thereby acquire stability. So, they can easily donate the electrons and thereby acts as a reducing agent. For example

  $Na\to N{a}^{+}+e^{-}$

But in the case of halogens or group 7 elements, they need an extra one electron to attain stability. Thus undergo reduction and acts as an oxidizing agent. For example,

  $Cl+e^{-}\to C{l}^{-}$

Metals in group 1 are good reducing agents than non-metals in group 7.